Sano's Chick 2
After a month alone with little Saiko Sano felt that it was time to let his friends meet this little new part of his life. Even though she was a girl Sano figured he could still train her in swordsmanship, Kaoru managed to do it, why not his daughter? Sano thought life without having to work would be great, but somehow the two month old managed to keep him completely tuckered out. He had sent word to the Kamiyaa dojo he was coming over with a special guest. No one, especially not Kaoru, expected a baby.
Sano just smiled as Kaoru doted on the little baby. "Well" she said "she has your eyes for sure." Sano's fashion sense needed a little work, poor Saiko was wearing the silliest looking green outfit. "Doesn't he know you have to pick girl and boy colors when they are this age" Kaoru thought. At least he took very good care of the child. Her skin was clean; she looked well fed, and was very happy. Kenshin pulled Sano over to the side and asked him how he had a baby without a woman in the first place. Sano just laughed it off and said she had a dead-beat mom and it was just going to be him and Saiko from now on. Kaoru lifted her head and looked over at the two men at the sound of the baby's name. "Sai.." she started. "Saiko" Sano finished.
After an awkward silence Kaoru went back to playing with the active little baby. Saiko laughed a lot and liked to touch anything in her reach. Kenshin leaned over to Sano and whispered "by the way thanks a lot Sano, now she is going to want to have a baby of her own now." "I will just let her baby-sit Saiko a lot okay?" Sano replied. Kenshin laughed "I am just teasing, I just do not think I am ready for kids yet, and that I am sure."
Kaoru had also wondered where this baby suddenly came from, but the way Sano went on about his womanizing it made sense someone would end up being pregnant. What did not make sense was if that was true why he would suddenly take responsibility from the very mother he had womanized. Yahiko thought babies were boring and was more interested practicing his techniques on the other side of the room.
Kenshin was kind enough to make dinner and had even picked up some milk for Sano to feed Saiko. Kaoru almost melted watching the ex-fighter gingerly take the bottle to this tiny child's mouth and carefully hold her while she drank. Kenshin blushed again knowing once Sano was gone Kaoru would definitely be begging for children all night long. Kenshin sighed softly; maybe, he thought that would not be so bad.
There was a loud rasp at the front door. "Oh yes" Kenshin began "I forgot to tell you." Yahiko's opening of the door cut him off because the person at the other side was none other than Saitou Hajime third captain of the Shisengumi. Sano's jaw dropped Saitou was alive and right there in front of him. Sano could not help but carefully hand Saiko to Kaoru then run to Saitou and embracing him, laying his head on the man's chest without thinking.
"We thought you were dead" he started realizing what he was doing and ungracefully dropped his arms a bit and lifted his head blushing "and I thought I would never get a chance to beat you in a fair fight" he flustered. Saitou nodded and strolled by lightly exiting the embrace. "I had to see for myself, Sanosuke Sagara had a child and he was the single parent" Saitou said with a half smirk. He crouched down in front of Saiko and gave her his patented Fugita Goro smile. "What's his er her? Name?" he asked realizing he didn't even know the baby's sex. Sano had joined Saitou at Saiko's side while Saitou was smiling and he said quietly "Her name is Saiko." A full smile now crossed Saitou's lips. "Well" Saitou began "It is getting late would you and Saiko" putting emphases on the babies name, then continuing "like a ride back in my carriage?" It was rather cold outside so Sano decided it was best for Saiko to get home quickly.
The ride home was only slightly awkward and luckily Saiko did not cry at all. They were almost to Sano's home when Saitou broke the silence. He was a little on edge because he wanted a cigarette but did not want to smoke next to such a small baby. "So you live right across the street from the station, that is convenient for someone who has spent so much time in the cells as you" he laughed.
Sano forced a smile and replied "no worries I do not think I will be back in those cells again, but if you miss me you are welcome to come by after work and visit me Saiko and I." Saitou brought a hand to his chin considering the offer. Spending time with Sano and his love child would mean a commitment. He missed own children's childhood because of the war and he did regret that on some level. The child was the easy part though, he thought, he had to decide if he wanted to pursue a relationship with this young, now father. Saitou smiled a bit more, knowing that the boy already liked him. Saitou did not believe that it was coincidence that Saiko sounded so much like Saitou. Finally the carriage stopped and Sano thanked Saitou and gave him a warm smile after mentioning Saitou spending time with him again. Baby cradled in his arms Sano climbed out of the carriage while Saitou watched carefully. He was definitely going to visit the youth tomorrow, and the next day, and the next.